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Gomez optimistic after resuming baseball activities

Gomez optimistic after resuming baseball activities

8/15/13: Carlos Gomez makes an outstanding leaping grab against the center-field wall, then exits the game with an injury in the fourth

By Adam McCalvy
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MLB.com |

MILWAUKEE -- Two days after he was limping around the clubhouse on crutches, Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez resumed baseball activities on Sunday and spoke of returning to the lineup before the end of the week.

Gomez sprained his right knee when he made a wall-banging catch on Thursday against the Reds, and he needed an MRI scan the following morning to confirm there was no serious damage. He completed a pool workout on Sunday, took "dry" swings in the batting cage and played catch on the field, and hoped to graduate to regular batting practice before the Brewers begin a series against the Cardinals on Monday.

His timeline remains open-ended. Considering the Brewers will want to use Tuesday to see how Gomez responds to his field work, and that Wednesday is a day game and Thursday a scheduled off-day, it could make sense to wait until Friday's series opener in Cincinnati for Gomez to return to the lineup.

Gomez said Monday would be a "big day" in terms of determining a schedule for his comeback. He would not rule out playing before the end of the Cardinals series.

"When we knew there is no damage there, we can be more aggressive," Gomez said of his speedy recovery. "I don't know about two days, three days [before I can return]. If it goes the way it's going right now, we expect to play soon, but we don't have a date. If I played another position, like first base, and I didn't depend on my speed, maybe sooner. But the way I play, the way I run, my speed is a big part of my game."

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.